In the wake of serious administrative lapses that prevented more than 67,000 potential pilgrims from performing Hajj this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has imposed on the Ministry of Religious Affairs to immediately begin planning and logistical preparations for Hajj 2026.
Chairman of a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, the Prime Minister said that such negligence would not be tolerated in the future and instructed the ministry to develop a comprehensive roadmap adapted to Hajj policy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“To serve Hajj Pilgrims is a sacred responsibility. Any negligence in this regard will be unacceptable next year,” the prime minister was quoted as saying during the meeting.
Read more: ‘Private Hajj -Quote’ lost due to negligence
By 2025, Saudi -Arabia had awarded a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims to Pakistan, traditionally split evenly between the government and private Hajj operators. However, delays and incorrect management in the fulfillment of procedural requirements led to the under -utilization of quota – especially in the private sector.
As a result, the private sector’s share fell from the awarded 89,801 slots to only 25,698, leaving over 67,000 pilgrims that were unable to travel.
The Lapset prompted the Prime Minister to form a three-member investigation committee in April to investigate the lack of complying with the Kingdom’s Hajj policy.
In order to prevent a repetition of this year’s Debakel, the Prime Minister ordered early and detailed events, including immediate coordination with Saudi authorities. He also instructed the regulation of the private Hajj scheme to ensure better supervision and compliance.
He also ordered the presentation of an action plan shortly after the Hajj period for the coming year is determined.
The meeting attended federal ministers Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Musadik Malik together with senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other relevant departments. A formal action plan is expected to be submitted soon.
